Hub Lock

[Bowhunter82]

I have the manual 4wd, and have to lock the hub to engage it..... my question is, why does the manual say that having the hub set to "lock" will decrease my gas mileage? I guess I just don't want to have to get out of my truck and lock both hubs everytime I need to have 4wd. Does it really affect the mileage, or affect anything else on the truck???

[ponyexpress94]

When you have the hubs locked in on the truck, you are spinning the front axle shafts and front driveshaft as you drive which obviously creates alot more drag, not to mention you can feel it and hear a difference in the truck.

Look at it this way....if your truck had the auto hubs and you got stuck unexpectedly you would still have to engage those hubs from the "auto" to the "lock" position because they have to engage with a vacuum signal while moving. So with that in mind leave the hubs unlocked until you think you might need them and save yourself the unnecessary wear and tear on your front end components.

Hope this helps.

[GreenDually]

I ordered my truck with the manual hubs, since it was the only way to get the manual shift transfer case. I live in northern PA and I turn my hubs in when we get our first snowfall and they stay in until spring. I'm not getting out of my truck everytime I need four wheel drive. Other than a slight drop in fuel mileage it isn't going to hurt anything.

[NEVERSWEAT7]

In essence, it is like full time 4x4 of the old days. The lock was when you pulled the shift level in the cab.. other than that the hubs were always locked in always spinning, always creating friction.

[Bowhunter82]

Thanks for the replies. Makes a lot more sense now. I'll just lock em before I go out and think I might need 4wd, and leave em free the rest of the time. Don't want to get stuck tryin to get to huntin spots!